Business Briefs: Dilenschneider to address chambers

Published 8:55 pm, Thursday, May 27, 2010

Dilenschneider to address chambers

Darien resident Robert Dilenschneider, founder of The Dilenschneider Group, a New York City-based strategic communications consulting firm, will address the New Canaan and Darien chambers of commerce at noon June 11 at The Country Club of Darien, 300 Mansfield Ave. Dilenschneider, author of more than 12 books, including the recently published "AMA Handbook of Public Relations," will share his perspective in a discussion titled, "We Have Just about Run Out of Time -- Individuals in America Need to Step Forward ... Now." For more information, visit darienchamberonline.com or contact Joan Avagliano at jma@dgi-nyc.com.

The state Unemployment Insurance Call centers will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Centers will reopen Tuesday, and offer extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Summer pump prices fall for all

The Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association noted what appears to be two miracles at the pump. The first is that gasoline prices have retreated more than 9 cents a gallon during the weeks leading into Memorial Day. Historically, prices are pressured upward by increased demand. But globally, oil prices have fallen on a sluggish world economy. The Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association also noted national demand for gasoline is down. On top of the good news this month for passenger-car drivers, the group announced that on July 1, the tax on diesel fuel will drop from 45.1 cent per gallon to 39.6 cents, the result of an annual review of wholesale prices upon which the state calculates the diesel excise tax.

Centerplate inspired by NYC for Belmont

Stamford-based Centerplate, a leading hospitality provider to sports stadiums and convention centers in North America, will partner with Chefs Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo, of Brooklyn's Frankies 457 and Manhattan's Frankies 17, to create a menu featuring local foods, wines and cocktails for this year's Belmont Stakes. The final race in the Triple Crown series, the Belmont Stakes draws big crowds, and in recent runnings, Centerplate has served more than 100,000 guests.